Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Muirwood – Chardonnay 2023
Arroyo Seco, Monterey – Central Coast, California 🇺🇸

Overview
Made from 100% Chardonnay, sourced from certified sustainable vineyards in Arroyo Seco, Monterey. This sub-region of the Central Coast is known for its cool winds and gravelly soils, providing ideal conditions for crisp, balanced Chardonnay.

Aromas & Flavors
Fresh tropical fruit (pineapple, mango, melon) with notes of citrus zest and green apple. Subtle floral lift, with just a faint hint of oak spice in the background.

Mouthfeel
Medium-bodied, crisp, and fruit-driven. No heavy butter or overpowering oak — instead, clean acidity and bright fruit define the palate. Smooth and refreshing finish.

Food Pairings
Great with grilled shrimp, sushi rolls, roast chicken, or summer salads. Perfect as an aperitif or paired with lighter fare.

Verdict
A balanced, refreshing Central Coast Chardonnay — tropical and crisp, sustainable, and delightfully easy to drink. Not a “buttery bomb,” but a modern, clean style that shines with food. 🌿🍍cheers!

Did You Know?
Arroyo Seco (meaning “dry creek”) is one of California’s coolest AVAs, where maritime breezes from Monterey Bay help Chardonnay ripen slowly, preserving acidity and freshness. — 8 months ago

Paul J

9.4

Light gold color. Nose of lemons, oak, and ample coconut. Same on the palate. I would decant for 30 minutes as it’s very restrained. Good balance between acidity and creaminess. Medium finish. If this was dialed up 2-3x’s on flavor and depth it would be awesome. Similar to the Matthiasson Linda Vista Chard. Upgraded 1pt. after 45 mins as the air and temp is helping. — 4 years ago

with Brooke

Gunja Gargeshwari

9.5

Honey, port wine on the nose with a silky mouthfeel and perfect viscosity. The finish has a burn which is perfect not soft like an aberlour and it’s not sweet either. Masterpiece! — 5 years ago

Scott Petrus

9.2

This natty Willamette Pinot is Burgundian in style and better than most. Austere and earthy this baby has enough zip to hold the finish. — 6 years ago

Rhonely Boy

9.1

The mineral is amazing, fruit is bump’n. Recommend multi-bottle purchase. It takes a while to start deciphering the complexities, then it runs out. — 6 years ago

Rick Baraff

9.1

That’s some nice drinkin’ stuff (circa 2017). Thanks to the local somm, Steve, at our Whole Foods for the recom... it was their last bottle and he sacrificed. — 7 years ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.1

Delicious- Pear all day 🍐 — 9 months ago

Conrad Green

9.3

Pure and intense on the nose. Deep plum and roses. Violet and a hint of mint. The wood is well integrated. Very harmonious — 3 years ago

Angela Brown

9.5

Stunning Chardonnay with beautiful balance of nuttiness and acidity — 5 years ago

Tim Ruckh

8.9

My first time drinking white Port and this one was very nice. — 5 years ago

Ryan Stewart

8.9

Golden amber color. Briny, diluted iodine, smoky, red fruit, floral and herbal notes on the nose. Warm mouthfeel. Hints of sherry and stewed fruits on the palate. — 6 years ago

Frank Kuo

9.2

Color of dull ruby with shades of purple and brown on the rim, a bit cloudy. Nose of cocoa, spice, burning sensation in the nose, fermented cabbage, carbonated water, and a bit berries. Taste basically follows the nose with quite good tannins and slightly sweet, some tobacco leaves, and some bitter tangerine zest. Aftertaste is medium with some more sweet ripe grape and peppery note. A bit light yet on par. — 6 years ago

Serena Peters

9.2

@pacific standard time in chicago. Best orange I’ve had in a while, oxidized on the nose, immediately salty in the palette almost like a pecorino cheese and then a smooth sweet finish like apple cider. Infinitely complex and interesting. Love — 7 years ago

Amanda Thomas

9.1

Mineral and floral notes. Not very much fruit. Super refreshing! — 7 years ago

with Tim

Jane Nuss

9.3

Plum, oak, vanilla, pepper, cherry. Bold palate with ripe dark fruits. Blackberry, fig, prune. Silky tannins.
— 2 years ago

Willie Carter

9.1

Pure joy in the bottle. A fun summer afternoon back in the day spent with that girl that you still think about when that song comes on. Clear lemon in the glass with faint green flecks. Big floral aromatics initially with herbs and mint. Ripe pears and lemon curd with a dash of honeydew. Apple juice and fresh cut grass.

Richer and more full bodied than you were expecting with high acidity. Really, really nice texture and mouthfeel going on here. Vivacious and lively throughout. The attack is dominated by memories of her before things fell apart. When life was good and the sun shined a little more brightly. An exciting and lovely wine. — 3 years ago

Douglas Braun

9.1

2012 Vintage - berry, leather , a lot of other than fruit, orange zest,wood spice ,umami -red rim color — 5 years ago

Mike Saviage

9.7

From a great old looking bottle with a mid shoulder fill. Cork is fully saturated and the crud under the capsule had formed a strong seal. Slow-ox’d for a few hours, then decanted for an hour or two before taken to L’Escargot in Carmel. Amber tawny rims with a reddish tawny core. Crazy nose right from the start. Notes of sweet black cherries, tobacco leaf, plums, black pepper, ash and crusty wood, pencil shavings, some just unwrapped cigar and some menthol. Silky in the mouth with firm structure and soft but present acidity. Long and memorable finish. Outstanding performance over several hours. — 6 years ago

Erin Joyce

9.2

Waited a few years to drink the 2017 and it’s even better than I remembered. In times like these it’s important to savor the floral bouquet and stone fruit deliciousness of this wine and essentials like Clorox bleach. — 6 years ago

with Sandra

James Webb

9.1

Lemon and apple crisp. Great full smooth body with enough acid holding everything in the right spot. — 7 years ago